Hot Spot Sweepstakes, in the 1300 block of Goucher Boulevard in Towson, was one of 10 online gambling and sweepstakes businesses where warrants were served on Wednesday morning, Oct. 24, by Baltimore County Police.

Hot Spot Sweepstakes, in the 1300 block of Goucher Boulevard in Towson, was one of 10 online gambling and sweepstakes businesses where warrants were served on Wednesday morning, Oct. 24, by Baltimore County Police. (Staff photo by Jon Meoli)

Jon Meoli, jmeoli@tribune.com

Baltimore County Police on Wednesday morning executed search warrants on 10 online gambling and sweepstakes businesses, including Hot Spot Sweepstakes in the 1300 block of Goucher Boulevard in Towson.

In a statement, the police department said the raids, which were carried out in conjuction with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigation, and the U.S. Attorney's Office, was the culmination of a year-long investigation ordered by county police Chief Jim Johnson.

Police said the investigation "established that the businesses were using electronic gaming devices in an illegal manner."

During the investigation, detectives had gone into the establishments, used the computer terminals at the internet cafés and were given monetary payouts for points earned, police said.

No arrests have been made, but police said charges could be filed at the conclusion of the investigation after the evidence recovered in the raids is examined.